What is Zubsolv?

Zubsolv sublingual tablets contain a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine is an opioid medication, sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioid medication, including pain relief or feelings of well-being that can lead to opioid abuse.

Important Information

Zubsolv can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF ZUBSOLV CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Taking Zubsolv during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Zubsolv if you are allergic to buprenorphine or naloxone (Narcan).

If you use Zubsolv while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

Buprenorphine and naloxone can pass into breast milk and may cause drowsiness or breathing problems in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take Zubsolv?

Use Zubsolv exactly as directed by your doctor Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Never use Zubsolv in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Zubsolv may be habit-forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Zubsolv is against the law.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Use dry hands when handling Zubsolv sublingual tablets. Place the sublingual tabletunder your tongue. Allow the tablet to dissolve slowly. Do not chew or swallow it whole.

If you switch between medicines containing buprenorphine, you may not use the same dose for each one. Follow all directions carefully.

Do not stop using Zubsolv suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

You will need frequent blood tests to check your liver function.

All your medical care providers should know that you are being treated for opioid addiction, and that you take Zubsolv. Make sure your family members know how to provide this information in case they need to speak for you during an emergency.

Never crush or break a Zubsolv sublingual tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death.

Store this medicine in the foil pouch at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Discard an empty pouch in a place children and pets cannot get to.

Keep track of your medicine. This medicine is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using it improperly.

Do not keep leftover Zubsolv. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, remove any unused tablets from the unit dose blister packs and flush the tablets down the toilet. Throw the empty blister packs into the trash.

Zubsolv dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Opiate Dependence: Buprenorphine monotherapy is generally used for induction. Zubsolv may be used for induction in patients dependent on heroin or short-acting opioid products.

INDUCTION dose: Day 1: Initial dose: 1.4 mg/0.36 mg sublingually; followed in intervals of 1.5 to 2 hours with additional doses of 1.4 mg/0.36 mg or 2.8 mg/0.72 mg to control acute withdrawal symptoms up to a total day 1 dose of 5.7 mg/1.4 mg (some patients with recent exposure to buprenorphine may tolerate up to 4.2 mg/1.08 mg as a single, second dose)
Day 2: 11.4 mg/2.9 mg sublingually.

MAINTENANCE Treatment: Doses should be adjusted to a level that holds the patient in treatment and suppresses opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms; doses should be titrated to clinical effectiveness as rapidly as possible as gradual titration may lead to higher drop-out rates.
-Progressively adjust in increments/decrements of 1.4 mg/0.36 mg or 2.9 mg/0.71 mg to a level that holds the patient in treatment and suppresses opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms
-Recommended target dose: 11.4 mg/2.9 mg sublingually once a day; dose range 2.9 mg/0.71 mg to 17.2 mg/4.2 mg
Maximum dose: 17.2 mg/4.2 mg sublingually once a day.

What should I avoid while taking Zubsolv?

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Zubsolv side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zubsolv: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Like other narcotic medicines, Zubsolv can slow your breathing. Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once or seek emergency medical attention if you have:

See also:

What other drugs will affect Zubsolv?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Narcotic (opioid) medication can interact with many other drugs and cause dangerous side effects or death. Be sure your doctor knows if you also use: